5 Things You Must Know About Being the Boss

How are you doing as a leader?

Whether you manage a huge team or you want to rise to a leadership role, merely being exceptional will not cut it. Yes, even if you're exceptional.

Too many possibilities compete for people's focus, and they expand day by day. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure you are rising above the chatter and focusing on the right needle-movers. Interested? Read on.

1) The currency and language of leadership

JWT's Laura Agostini, Global Chief Talent Officer, began on the topic of leadership by shedding light on the myth about the meritocracy.

"Leadership is not about the work. Being great at the work gives you the right to get to leadership, but it does not give you leadership".

Being very, very competent at what you do – perhaps even the best – has been something that motivated Laura since childhood. Notwithstanding, being the best from a technical excellence standpoint does not cut it – Laura also urges the importance of proactively learning leadership, understanding "how important it is to build excellent relationships".

Count Me In's Founder and President Nell Merlino also urged the importance of communicating well, especially in regards to the benefits of your leadership. You have to clarify the ‘what's in it for me' question – your vision, background and direction must resonate with your listeners, or it does no good.

2) Balance

For Francine Della Badia, SVP Retail of North America for Coach, balance is about living your whole life and staying out of the ‘warped fishbowl' of overwork, and the isolation that can sometimes come with managing and leading many people.

Ask yourself questions like –Am I stretching myself in different directions, taking risks and enjoying myself? Am I having fun? This is less about the standard work/life balance argument, and more about ensuring that you keep yourself relatable, human and authentic. If you are only about the work, Francine urges you will not be a well-rounded leader - "balanced leaders are the best leaders".

3) Manage your state

The higher up you go, the more likely you will need to learn how to change your state in an instant – coming from one very grueling or troubling call in one minute, and the next minute providing a rallying call